Former NRL star Suliasi Vunivalu and Brumbies bolter Tom Hooper are the big winners of Eddie Jones’ first Wallabies team of 2023, with the duo named to make their first Test starts against South Africa in Pretoria on Sunday (AEST).
Vunivalu made his Wallabies debut with a brief cameo off the bench against England last year but was not sighted again under previous coach Dave Rennie.
But Jones is a noted league enthusiast and remained intrigued with the injury plagued 27-year-old’s potential.
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“Only played five minutes off the bench last year, he gets a opportunity,” Wallabies legend Tim Horan said on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.
“Eddie Jones has said to him ‘you’re an athlete, you’ve got potential, we’re going to give you a go’.”
Vunivalu has been named to start on the right wing while Hooper will wear No.6.
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Hooper, 22, is raw but Jones loves his size and combative nature.
“Tom Hooper is a big one but if you’ve followed the smart money over the last few months, people were talking about him and he had a late run into Super Rugby,” former Wallabies loose forward Stephen Hoiles said.
“Had an injury at the start of the year but he’s an on-baller, he’s a tall guy, he’s a lineout option, which is important up there.”
NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles unpack the Wallabies squad tasked with making history against the Springboks in Pretoria
There are three potential debutants on the bench – Reds prop Zane Nonggorr, Toulouse lock Richie Arnold and Rebels five-eighth Carter Gordon.
Utility back Reece Hodge will start at inside centre ahead of Samu Kerevi, who is on the bench after recovering from a minor hamstring strain.
Quade Cooper will wear No.10 in the Rugby Championship opener in his first Test since rupturing his Achilles tendon last year, while La Rochelle lock Will Skelton will also start.
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The Wallabies are yet to beat the Springboks in Pretoria in seven attempts.
Dynamic props Taniela Tupou and Angus Bell were left out as they continue their rehab from long-term injuries.
Co-captain James Slipper was named to start despite suffering a knee injury at training.
“As a squad, the players have worked extremely hard since coming together as a group and we’ve prepared well this week,” Jones said.
“The 23 players selected have an opportunity to be part of history with a win over South Africa in Pretoria.”
SPRINGBOKS (15-1): Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Manie Libbok, Cobus Reinach, Duane Vermeulen (c), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, Marvin Orie, Jean Kleyn, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff
Reserves: Joseph Dweba, Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Evan Roos, Deon Fourie, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse
WALLABIES (15-1): Tom Wright, Suliasi Vunivalu, Len Ikitau, Reece Hodge, Marika Koroibete, Quade Cooper, Nic White, Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper (co-c), Tom Hooper, Will Skelton, Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa, Dave Porecki, James Slipper (co-c)
Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon, Zane Nonggorr, Richie Arnold, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott, Samu Kerevi, Carter Gordon
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